Come closer, let me share with you a story, one that is carried on the wind, woven into the fibers of our being, and nestled deep within the scents that surround us. This is a story about how I came to understand that Every Scent Tells a Story and how, over time, it became clear to me that Storytelling is Ceremony.

From the very beginning of my soapmaking journey, scents were my greatest inspiration. Certain smells would arrive like memories from the past, carrying me back to moments I thought I had forgotten—times of joy, seasons of change, moments of those we have lost, healers and teachers who have moved onto the spirit world and those cherished moments we continue to share with loved ones. It was as though these scents held the power to unlock memories that had been tucked away in the quiet corners of my spirit for the past 25 years. 

As I continued to grow in my craft, I felt a calling to deepen my understanding of this mysterious connection between scent and memory. I began studying aromatherapy, and what I learned was nothing short of remarkable. Our sense of smell, I discovered, is directly connected to the part of our brain that governs emotion and memory. This is why a single fragrance and essential oils can bring a rush of feelings and a flood of memories, even those from long ago.

I learned that smell is the first sense we are born with, fully formed and guiding us as infants. It remains our most powerful sense until about the age of ten, when sight begins to take the lead. During those early years, the scents we encounter weave themselves into the fabric of who we are. They shape the memories and emotions we carry, forming the foundation for the smells we will love or avoid for the rest of our lives.

With this knowledge, my approach to soapmaking transformed. I began to see each bar of soap not just as a functional object but as a vessel for emotion, memory, and storytelling. When blending a scent for a new soap, I would let the fragrances and essential oils guide me, awakening memories and feelings. If a particular combination of scents stirred happiness, comfort, or nostalgia, I knew I was on the right path. Only then would I move on to the design—choosing colors and swirls that matched the mood and spirit of the scent.

One day, while working in a soapmaking class with my mother, we spoke of this deep connection between scent and memory. My mother, wise and observant, told me that she and Nuni believed I had been a storyteller in a previous life. She said, “You carry the stories of our people in your heart, and you should share them, not just with words but through your soaps.”

Her words sank deep into my spirit. She was right—every bar of soap I created was already telling a story, even if it wasn’t spoken aloud. I was then and I am now a powerful storyteller. From that moment on, I made it a practice to honor the story behind each bar. Today, when you pick up a bar of RavenSong Artisan Soap, you will find the story written on the back of the label. These stories are gifts, just as much as the soap itself, connecting you to the land, the people, and the inspiration behind every scent.

But as I walked further down this path, I realized something even greater: storytelling is ceremony. Every time I blend a scent, I am honoring the land that gave us the ingredients. Every time I craft a bar, I am honoring the teachings of my ancestors, and every time someone uses that soap, they become part of the story too.

When you hold one of our soaps, you hold more than a bar of lather. You hold a memory, a moment, and a prayer wrapped in fragrance and color. You hold the stories of my family, my community, and the land that nurtures us all.

So, my friends, the next time you breathe in the scent of a RavenSong bar, take a moment to close your eyes. Let the scent carry you, let it remind you of your own stories, and know that in that moment, you are part of a ceremony—one of connection, remembrance, and celebration.

Thank you for allowing me to share this story with you. May the scents you encounter carry you to beautiful places and remind you of the sacred stories within your own heart.